Patient Weighing and Bed Exit Monitoring

ABSTRACT

Patient support systems are generally disclosed. An example patient support system may be configured to provide a predictive bed-exit alarm and/or a patient weight. An example embodiment may include a support structure including independently inflatable supports, an inflatable mat beneath the inflatable supports, and pressure detectors associated with the inflatable supports and the inflatable mat. An alarm logic may be configured to initiate a predictive bed-exit alarm sequence upon determining that at least one of the pressures of the inflatable supports is at about its respective unloaded pressure. A patient weight logic may be configured to output a patient weight based at least partially upon a difference between an unloaded pressure and a loaded pressure of the inflatable mat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/354,214, filed Jun. 12, 2010, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

The subject matter of this application may be related to the subjectmatter of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______/______ ,filed Jun. ______ , 2011.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally pertains to patient support systemsand, more particularly, to patient support structure systems (sometimesreferred to as “support surface” systems) designed to reduce the risk ofdeveloping pressure sores and/or to provide patient weighing and/orbed-exit monitoring functions.

SUMMARY

Patient support systems are generally disclosed. Some exampleembodiments may include methods, apparatus, and/or systems pertaining topatient support structure systems designed to reduce the risk ofdeveloping pressure sores and/or to provide patient weighing and/orbed-exit monitoring functions.

Some example patient support systems according to at least some aspectsof the present disclosure may include a generally rectangular basecomprising a top surface. A first longitudinally oriented sidewall and asecond longitudinally oriented sidewall may extend upward from lateralside portions of the base. A substantially vapor-impermeable barrier maybe disposed on the top surface of the base and on inwardly facingsurfaces of the first longitudinally oriented sidewall and the secondlongitudinally oriented sidewall. A substantially vapor-permeable topcover may extend between upper aspects of the first longitudinallyoriented sidewall and the second longitudinally oriented sidewall suchthat a generally longitudinally oriented channel configured to receiveairflow therethrough may be substantially defined by a lower surface ofthe top cover, an upper surface of the barrier on the base, and inwardlyfacing surfaces of the barrier on the first longitudinally orientedsidewall and the second longitudinally oriented sidewall. A supplyconduit may extend from an exterior air supply connector to an internalair supply opening within the channel. An air discharge opening withinthe channel may be arranged to allow air to exit the channel. Aninflatable support may be disposed in the channel. An interior volume ofthe inflatable support may be fluidicly isolated from the channel.

Some example methods of operating a patient support system according toat least some aspects of the present disclosure may include placing apatient on a substantially vapor-permeable top cover of a supportstructure. The support structure may include a generally rectangularbase including a top surface. A first longitudinally oriented sidewalland a second longitudinally oriented sidewall may extend upward fromlateral side portions of the base. A substantially vapor-impermeablebarrier may be disposed on the top surface of the base and on inwardlyfacing surfaces of the first longitudinally oriented sidewall and thesecond longitudinally oriented sidewall, and an inflatable support. Thevapor-permeable top cover may extend between upper aspects of the firstlongitudinally oriented sidewall and the second longitudinally orientedsidewall such that a generally longitudinally oriented channelconfigured to receive airflow therethrough may be substantially definedby a lower surface of the top cover, an upper surface of the barrier onthe base, and inwardly facing surfaces of the barrier on the firstlongitudinally oriented sidewall and the second longitudinally orientedsidewall. The inflatable support may be disposed in the channel. Aninterior volume of the inflatable support may be fluidicly isolated fromchannel. A method may include flowing air through the channel while thepatient is on the substantially vapor-permeable top cover.

Some example methods of providing a predictive bed-exit alarm accordingto at least some aspects of the present disclosure may include receivinga patient on a support structure. The support structure may include aplurality of fluidicly independent inflatable supports disposed withinthe support structure and inflated to respective unloaded pressures.Each of the plurality of inflatable supports may be configured tosupport at least a portion of the patient's weight when the patient isin a generally supine position on the support structure. A method mayinclude monitoring a respective loaded pressure of each of the pluralityof inflatable supports. The loaded pressure of each of the plurality ofinflatable supports may be above the respective unloaded pressure. Amethod may include initiating a predictive bed-exit alarm sequence upondetermining that the pressure of at least one of the plurality ofinflatable supports is at about its unloaded pressure.

Some example support structure systems according to at least someaspects of the present disclosure may include a support structureconfigured to receive a patient. The support structure may include afirst inflatable support and a second inflatable support disposed withinthe support structure. The first inflatable support and the secondinflatable support may be independently inflatable. Each of the firstinflatable support and the second inflatable support may support atleast a portion of the patient's weight when the patient is in agenerally supine position on the support structure. The first inflatablesupport and the second inflatable support may have respective unloadedpressures. The first inflatable support and the second inflatablesupport may have respective loaded pressures when the patient is in thegenerally supine position on the support structure. The respectiveloaded pressures may be greater than the respective unloaded pressures.A support structure system may include an alarm system, which mayinclude a first pressure detector associated with the first inflatablesupport; a second pressure detector associated with the secondinflatable support; and an alarm logic configured to receive dataassociated with a detected pressure of the first inflatable support, toreceive data associated with a detected pressure of the secondinflatable support, and to initiate a predictive bed-exit alarm sequenceupon determining that at least one of the detected pressure of the firstinflatable support and the detected pressure of the second inflatablesupport is at about its respective unloaded pressure.

Some example patient weighing systems according to at least some aspectsof the present disclosure may include an inflatable mat configured to bedisposed on a bed frame and beneath a support structure. The inflatablemat may include an upper, substantially air-impermeable layer; a lower,substantially air-impermeable layer; and a middle volume interposing theupper layer and the lower layer. The middle volume may include aplurality of threads connecting the upper layer and the lower layer at asubstantially fixed distance. The upper layer and the lower layer mayform a substantially air-tight volume housing the middle volume. Thepatient weighing system may include a pressure sensor arranged to sensean inflation pressure of the inflatable mat and a user interface unitoperatively connected to the pressure sensor. The interface unit may beprogrammed to detect a difference between an unloaded pressure of themat and a loaded pressure of the mat and to output a patient weightcorresponding to the difference.

Some example methods of determining a patient weight according to atleast some aspects of the present disclosure may include receiving apatient on a support structure. The support structure may be supportedby an inflatable mat. The inflatable mat may include an upper,substantially air-impermeable layer, a lower, substantiallyair-impermeable layer, and a middle volume interposing the upper layerand the lower layer. The middle volume may include a plurality ofthreads connecting the upper layer and the lower layer at asubstantially fixed distance. The method may include sensing a loadedpressure of the inflatable mat and outputting a patient weightcorresponding to a difference between the loaded pressure of theinflatable mat and an unloaded pressure of the inflatable mat.

Some example patient support systems according to at least some aspectsof the present disclosure may include a support structure configured toreceive a patient. The support structure may include a first inflatablesupport and a second inflatable support. The first inflatable supportand the second inflatable support may be independently inflatable. Eachof the first inflatable support and the second inflatable support maysupport at least a portion of the patient's weight when the patient isin a generally supine position on the support structure. The firstinflatable support and the second inflatable support may have respectiveunloaded pressures. The first inflatable support and the secondinflatable support may have respective loaded pressures when the patientis in the generally supine position on the support structure. Therespective loaded pressures being greater than the respective unloadedpressures. A patient support system may include an inflatable matdisposed between the first and second inflatable supports and a bedframe. The inflatable mat may include an upper, substantiallyair-impermeable layer, a lower, substantially air-impermeable layer, anda middle volume interposing the upper layer and the lower layer. Themiddle volume may include a plurality of threads connecting the upperlayer and the lower layer at a substantially fixed distance. The upperlayer and the lower layer may form a substantially air-tight volumehousing the middle volume. A patient support system may include a firstpressure detector associated with the first inflatable support, a secondpressure detector associated with the second inflatable support, aninflatable mat pressure sensor arranged to sense an inflation pressureof the inflatable mat, and a user interface unit. The user interfaceunit may include an alarm logic configured to receive data associatedwith a detected pressure of the first inflatable support, to receivedata associated with a detected pressure of the second inflatablesupport, and to initiate a predictive bed-exit alarm sequence upondetermining that at least one of the detected pressure of the firstinflatable support and the detected pressure of the second inflatablesupport is at about its respective unloaded pressure. A user interfaceunit may include a patient weight display configured to indicate apatient weight calculated by a patient weight logic. The patient weightlogic may be operatively connected to the inflatable mat pressuresensor. The patient weight logic may be programmed to detect adifference between an unloaded pressure of the inflatable mat and aloaded pressure of the inflatable mat and to output the patient weightbased at least partially on the difference.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the drawings and the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding thatthese drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of itsscope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example patient support system;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an example support structure;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an example support structure with the top coverremoved;

FIG. 4A is an exploded cross-sectional view of an example supportstructure;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of an example support structure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example support structureillustrating an alternative arrangement of the side walls;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an example support structureillustrating the side walls integrally formed with the base;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example base, side walls, and headend wall;

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of a head end of an examplesupport structure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an example inflatable mat;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an example proximity sensor mat;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example control unit;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an example inflation system;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an example handheld control unit;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example method of operating a patientsupport system;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example method of providing a predictivebed-exit alarm;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an example method of determining a patientweight; and

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an example computer; all arranged inaccordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in theFigures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a widevariety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Methods, systems, devices, and/or apparatus related to patient supportsystems are described. Some example embodiments according to the presentdisclosure may pertain to patient support structure systems designed toreduce the risk of developing pressure sores and/or to provide patientweighing and/or bed-exit monitoring functions.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example patient support system 10,according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. Apatient may lie on a support structure 100 (which may be referred to asa mattress), which may be disposed on a bed frame 14, such as a hospitalbed frame. In some example embodiments, a mat 200 may interpose mattress100 and bed frame 14. In some example embodiments, support structure 100and/or mat 200 may be operatively connectable to a control unit 300.

Control unit 300, support structure 100, and/or sensor mat 200 may beconfigured to perform functions such as, for example and withoutlimitation, supplying air to and/or venting air from one or moreinflatable portions of support structure 100, flowing air through one ormore portions of support structure 100, and/or sensing, displaying,and/or recording various parameters and/or events associated withsupport structure 100 and/or mat 200. In some example embodiments,control unit 300 may be operatively connectable to an external powersource 602 and/or an external communication device 604 (e.g., via awired and/or wireless connection). In some example embodiments, a remotecontrol 199 may be operatively connected to control unit 300, such as bya wired and/or wireless connection.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an example support structure100, according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure.Support structure 100 may include a base 102, one or more inflatablesupports 104 (which may be disposed substantially within supportstructure 100), one or more longitudinally oriented side walls 106A,106B extending upward from lateral side portions of base 102, one ormore end walls (e.g., a head end wall 108, which may extend upward froma head end portion of base and/or may extend laterally from side wall106A to side wall 106B), a bottom cover 110, and/or a top cover 112.Base 102 may be generally rectangular and/or may extend forsubstantially the entire width 100A of mattress 100 and/or substantiallythe entire length 100B of mattress 100.

In some example embodiments, mat 200 may be disposed within bottom cover110 beneath base 102, and in some example embodiments mat 200 may bedisposed beneath bottom cover 110 (e.g., between bottom cover 110 andbed frame 14 (FIG. 1)). Inflatable support 104 may have a width lessthan width 100A of support structure 100 and/or a length less thanlength 100B of mattress 100. Some example embodiments may not includeboth side walls 106A, 106B and/or head end wall 108, and some exampleembodiments may additionally include a foot end wall generally similarto head end wall 108. Some example embodiments may include an externalconnection panel 114, which may include one or more connectors coupledto internal components of support structure 100 as described below.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an example support structure 100 with top cover112 removed, according to at least some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In some example embodiments, inflatable support 104 mayinclude one or more sections, each of which may comprise a plurality offluidicly connected, upstanding chambers. For example, in some exampleembodiments, inflatable support 104 may include inflatable supportsections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D arranged from head to foot (e.g., a headsection, a torso section, a hip section, and a foot section).

Individual support sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D may comprise about 35fluidicly connected, upstanding chambers. For example, individualsupport sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D may be generally similar tothose manufactured by ROHO Group, Inc. of Belleville, Ill. In someexample embodiments, individual chambers may be about 3″ wide by about3″ long by about 2½″ high and/or may be constructed at least partiallyfrom urethane. In some example embodiments, individual chambers may beabout 1″ wide by about 1″ long by about 3″ high and/or may beconstructed at least partially from neoprene.

In some example embodiments, inflatable support sections 104A, 104B,104C, 104D may be individually inflated or deflated as desired. Forexample, inflatable support sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D may beinflated to respective unloaded pressures prior to the patient beingreceived on support structure 100. Respective loaded pressures (e.g.,when a patient is lying on support structure 100) of inflatable supportsections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D may be greater than the respectiveunloaded pressures.

In some example embodiments, external connection panel 114 may compriseone or more connectors 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D, which may be fluidiclyconnected to inflatable support sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D viachannels 115A, 115B, 115C, 115D (such as may be provided by tubing or amanifold), respectively. One or more of connectors 114A, 114B, 114C,114D may comprise quick-disconnect fittings, which may be internallyvalved to prevent leakage of air from inflatable support sections 104A,104B, 104C, 104D when disconnected. Connectors 114A, 114B, 114C, 114Dmay be operatively coupled to control unit 300, which, for example, maysense respective pressures of inflatable support sections 104A, 104B,104C, 104D and/or may provide air to or vent air from of inflatablesupport sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are an exploded cross-sectional view of an examplesupport structure 100 and a cross-sectional view of an example supportstructure 100, respectively, according to at least some embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Base 102 may include a top surface 102A, whichmay be substantially planar. Inflatable support 104, side walls 106A,106B, and/or head end wall 108 (see FIG. 2) may be positioned on topsurface 102A of base 102 and/or may be at least partially enclosed byfabric or other covering, which may comprise portions of bottom cover110. In an assembled support structure 100, inflatable support 104 maylie within a cavity at least partially defined below by top surface 102Aof base 102, on the lateral sides by inwardly facing surfaces 107A, 107Bof side walls 106A, 106B, and/or on the head end by head end wall 108.

In some example embodiments, a substantially vapor-impermeable barrier111 may be disposed on at least a portion of top surface 102A of base102 and/or on inwardly facing surfaces 107A, 107B of side walls 106A,106B. In some example embodiments, barrier 111 may comprise a portion ofbottom cover 110. In some example embodiments, top cover 112 may bereleasably joined to bottom cover 110 by a fastener, such as zipper112A.

In some example embodiments, an upper surface 111B of barrier 111 onbase 102, inwardly facing surfaces 107C, 107D of barrier 111 on sidewalls 106A, 106B, and/or at least a portion of a lower surface 112A oftop cover 112 may substantially define a generally longitudinallyoriented channel 111A. Inflatable support 104 may be disposed withinchannel 111A and/or an interior volume of inflatable support 104 may befluidicly isolated from channel 111A.

In some example embodiments, support structure 100 may include one ormore sensors, which may be operatively coupled control unit 300. Examplesensors may include one or more temperature sensors 104T (e.g., aninfrared temperature sensor), one or more humidity sensors 104H, and/orone or more angle sensors 102N (e.g., a potentiometer). Temperaturesensor 104T and/or humidity sensor 104H may be configured to detectconditions approximate top cover 112, which may be indicative ofconditions at an interface between a patient and support structure 100.Angle sensor 102N may be configured to detect the angle of elevation ofthe head portion of support structure 100 and/or may be mounted withinand/or on base 102.

In some example embodiments, base 102, side walls 106A, 106B, and/orhead end wall 108 may be constructed from foam (e.g., polyurethane foam)and/or non-foam materials. Example non-foam materials include, but arenot limited to, fibrous materials (e.g., non-woven, randomly orientedpolyester fiber materials, such as Indura Performance Fiber, availablefrom Indratech of Auburn Hills, Mich.), gels, viscous fluids such assilicone, and/or other natural or manmade materials conventionallyutilized in mattresses and/or tubes. In some example embodiments, base102, side walls 106A, 106B, and/or head end wall 108 may comprise one ormore air bladders. For example, in some example embodiments, base 102may be constructed from foam and/or side walls 106A, 106B may beconstructed from a non-foam material. In other example embodiments, base102 may comprise one or more air bladders, without foam. In otherexample embodiments, side walls 106A, 106B may comprise one or more airbladders.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example support structureillustrating an alternative arrangement of side walls 106A, 106B,according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. Insome example embodiments, side walls 106A, 106B may be disposed againstoutwardly facing lateral side edges of base 102.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an example support structureillustrating side walls 106A, 106B integrally formed with base 102,according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. Insome example embodiments, side walls 106A, 106B may be integrally formedwith base 102.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example base 102, side walls 106A,106B, and head end wall 108, according to at least some embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Some example embodiments may be configured toprovide forced air flow through support structure 100, which may bereferred to as “low air loss.” For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7,some embodiments may include an air supply conduit 120 extending from anexterior air supply connector 120C (which may be disposed on externalconnection panel 114) to one or more internal air supply openings 120A,120B.

In some example embodiments, internal air supply openings 120A, 120B maybe disposed within channel 111A approximate a foot end of base 102. Airmay be supplied to exterior air supply connector 120C from an air source120E (e.g., a blower) via an air supply conduit 120D. In some exampleembodiments, air source 120E may be provided as part of or in connectionwith to control unit 300 (FIG. 1).

Some example embodiments may include one or more air discharge openings120F, 120G, which may be arranged to allow air to exit channel 111A,such as to an ambient environment. Air discharge openings 120F, 120G mayextend through head end wall 108, for example, and may be disposedwithin channel 111A approximate the head end of base 102. Delivering airto channel 111A via internal air supply openings 120A, 120B and ventingair through air discharge openings 120F, 120G may cause air flow alonggenerally foot-to-head flowpaths 120H.

Some example embodiments may be configured so that air flow throughsupport structure 100 (e.g., low air loss air flow) may be substantiallyindependent of the air within the interiors of inflatable supportsections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D. Accordingly, a patient receiving lowair loss therapy may remain supported by inflatable support sections104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, even if air source 120E is turned off,unplugged, etc. Similarly, support structure 100 may be used without lowair loss therapy, if desired. In some example embodiments, theindependence of the inflation of inflatable support sections 104A, 104B,104C, 104D and the low air loss air flow may allow use of a smaller,quieter, and more energy efficient air source 120E than may be requiredfor conventional low air loss systems in which the air source mayprovide both supporting inflation and air flow.

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of a head end of an examplesupport structure 100, according to at least some embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Some example embodiments may include grates 121A,121B, which may provide vent paths from air discharge openings 120F,120G (FIG. 7) through head end wall 108 and/or top cover (FIG. 2).Grates 121A, 121B may house one or more filters, which may comprise meshscreens. Example mesh screens may include a sintered stainless steelmesh (e.g., about 44 micron).

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of an example inflatable mat 201,according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure.Inflatable mat 201 may comprise mat 200, described above. Inflatable mat201 may be configured to be disposed on bed frame 14 (FIG. 1) andbeneath support structure 100, such as within the outer covering (e.g.,bottom cover 110) of support structure 100 and beneath the patientsupport components (e.g., base 102 and inflatable supports 104).Alternatively, inflatable mat 201 may be disposed between the outercovering (e.g., bottom cover 110) of support structure 100 and bed frame14. Some example inflatable mats 201 may be sized to underliesubstantially the entire base 102 and/or the entire support structure100.

Some example inflatable mats 201 may comprise a drop-stitch fabric,which may comprise an upper, substantially air-impermeable layer 250; alower, substantially air-impermeable layer 252; and/or a middle volume254, which may interpose upper layer 250 and lower layer 252. Middlevolume 254 may comprise a plurality of threads connecting upper layer250 and lower layer 252 at a substantially fixed distance. Upper layer250 and lower layer 252 may be sealed together (e.g., at seal 256) toprovide a substantially air-tight volume housing middle volume 254. Someexample embodiments may include an inflation port 258 and/or a pressuresensor 260, which may be configured to sense an inflation pressure ofinflatable mat 201 and/or may be operatively coupled to control unit300. In some example embodiments, inflatable mat 201 may be about 1 inchthick.

In some example embodiments, inflatable mat 201may be inflated to anunloaded pressure prior to the patient being received on supportstructure 100. A loaded pressure (when the patient is lying on supportstructure 100) of inflatable mat 201 may be greater than the unloadedpressure.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an example proximity sensor mat 202, accordingto at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. Proximity sensormat 202 may include a pad 203 to which one or more proximity sensor pads204A, 204B, 204C, 204D may be mounted. One or more slots 206A, 206B,206C may be provided in pad 203 to allow pad 203 to flex with supportstructure 100 and/or base 102 as bed frame 14 is articulated, such as toraise and/or lower a patient's head and/or feet. In some exampleembodiments, proximity sensor mat 202 may be about 1 inch thick.

In some example embodiments, proximity sensor pads 204A, 204B, 204C,204D may be configured to detect the depth of immersion of a patient insupport structure 100. In some example embodiments, an individualproximity sensor pad 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D may comprise a copper-cladprinted circuit board configured to act as an antenna. When an objectwith sufficient mass/dielectric constant (e.g., the patient's body orsimilar sized object) enters the field of detection, a capacitive sensormay open or close a switch to provide a detection signal. In someexample embodiments, the sensitivity of proximity sensor pads 204A,204B, 204C, 204D may be adjusted such that the signal is provided whenthe patient is detected at a predetermined depth of immersion, which maybe, for example, a maximum desired depth of immersion. In some exampleembodiments, proximity sensor pads 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D may be wiredtogether in a manner designed minimize interference with one another,such as in a master-slave configuration. Such a configuration mayminimize interference caused due to field overlap, such as when bedframe 14 is articulated. In some example embodiments, proximity sensorpads 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D may be about 4 inches by about 16 inches.

In some example embodiments, support structure 100 may include proximitysensor mat 202 integrally constructed therewith. For example, sensor mat200 may be provided between base 102 and bottom cover 110, beneath base102. In some example embodiments, sensor mat may be provided separatelyfrom support structure 100 and may be placed between bottom cover 110 ofsupport structure 100 and bed frame 14, beneath bottom cover 110.

Some example sensor mats 202 may be operated as follows. Proximitysensor pads 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D may utilize capacitance to detect thepresence of the patient on support structure 100. In general, capacitivesensors may utilize a capacitive source to reflect a signal and, inthese circumstances, the only significant reflection may be due to thepatient on support structure 100. Other materials within supportstructure 100 may not substantially reflect a signal. Proximity sensorpads 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D may be configured to provide an electricalsignal when the patient is detected within a pre-determined distance.This distance may correspond to the depth of immersion of the patientinto inflatable support 104. Proximity sensor pads 204A, 204B, 204C,204D may also be utilized to detect whenever the patient moves beyond acertain distance, thereby supporting a bed exit alarm function.

Some example depth of immersion control functions may be implemented asfollows. A minimum desired depth of immersion may be established as asetpoint for proximity sensor pads 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D. If the any ofproximity sensor pads 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D detects the patient lowerthan the set point, it may provide an electrical signal indicating thatit has detected the patient below the set point depth. In some exampleembodiments, an inflation system (described below) of control unit 300may respond to the detection by further inflating the inflatable supportsection 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D corresponding to the proximity sensor pad204A, 204B, 204C, 204D which detected the patient below the setpointdepth. Once the desired inflation has been achieved, inflation may bestopped. Similarly, control unit 300 may direct deflation of aninflatable support section 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D where the patient isdetected at less than a desired depth of immersion.

Example control units 300 according to at least some aspects of thepresent disclosure may comprise various systems and/or may be configuredto perform various functions, depending on the desired characteristicsof the particular embodiments. Accordingly, the following descriptionpertains to various optional systems, components, and/or functions, andexample control units 300 may comprise any number of these and othersystems, components, and/or functions.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example control unit 300, according toat least some embodiments of the present disclosure. Control unit 300may include a housing 302, a display 304 (e.g., a touch screen, a liquidcrystal display (LCD), light, etc.), a user interface 305 (e.g., a touchscreen, button, switch, etc.), a processor 306 (e.g., a computer system,microprocessor, etc., and appropriate associated circuitry), aninflation system 308, inflatable support pressure sensors 309, anancillary medical device 310, a low air loss air source 312 (e.g., a 50liter per minute pump/blower), a microphone 313, an alert device 314(e.g., a buzzer, a speaker, a bell, a light, etc.), and/or a memory 316.In some example embodiments, inflatable support pressure sensors 309 maybe disposed in housing 302 and may be fluidicly coupled to respectiveinflatable support sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D. In some exampleembodiments, inflatable support pressure sensors 309 may be disposedwithin support structure 100, such as approximate respective inflatablesupport sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and may be electrically coupledto processor 306 of control unit 300. Inflatable support pressuresensors 309 may be provided as components of inflation system 308 orseparately.

Processor 306 may be operatively connected to display 304, userinterface 305, inflation system 308, inflatable support pressure sensors309, ancillary medical device, low air loss air source 312, microphone313, alert device 314, memory 316, inflatable mat 201 (e.g., pressuresensor 260), proximity sensor mat 202 (e.g., sensor pads 204A, 204B,204C, 204D), temperature sensor 104T, humidity sensor 104H, angle sensor102N, and/or other sensors (e.g., an external moisture/incontinencesensor provided in a sheet and/or patient clothing), for example.Control unit 300 and its various components may be powered from anexternal power source (e.g., a wall plug) and/or may include a batteryfor temporary or normal use. Some example embodiments may be configuredto transmit and/or receive data as discussed in detail below.

Example ancillary medical devices include, without limitation, deep veinthrombosis treatment devices (which may provide intermittent compressionof stockings) and negative pressure wound therapy devices (which mayapply a vacuum to a dressing placed over a wound).

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an example inflation system 308, accordingto at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. Some exampleinflation systems 308 may be configured to be mounted within housing 302and/or may comprise conduits connectable to inflatable support sections104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, such as via connectors 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D onexternal connection panel 114 (FIG. 3). In some example embodiments, apump 702 (e.g., a 12 VDC pump) may deliver air to a supply manifold 704,which may supply air to a plurality of pump solenoid valves 706A, 706B,706C, 706D. An individual solenoid valve 706A, 706B, 706C, 706D may beopened or shut (e.g., based on a control signal from processor 306) todeliver air to one inflatable support section 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D,when desired. Similarly, an exhaust manifold 708 may be configured toexhaust air from inflatable support sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D whendesired via individual exhaust solenoid valves 710A, 710B, 710C, 710Dassociated with individual inflatable support sections 104A, 104B, 104C,104D, respectively. Individual inflatable support sections 104A, 104B,104C, 104D may be fluidicly connected to supply manifold 704 and/orexhaust manifold 708 via tubing or other conduit, which may includepressure sensors 309A, 309B, 309C, 309D. Pump 702, pump solenoid valves706A, 706B, 706C, 706D, exhaust solenoid valves 710A, 710B, 710C, 710D,and/or pressure sensors 309A, 309B, 309C, 309D may be operativelyconnected to processor 306.

In some example embodiments, pressure sensors 309A, 309B, 309C, 309D maytransmit a voltage signal from 0.5 VDC-1.5 VDC proportional to the airpressure within the respective inflatable support section 104A, 104B,104C, 104D. This pressure signal may be amplified and sent to aprocessor which converts the signal to a numerical value between 1 and1000, for example, for use in control and monitoring operations asdescribed elsewhere herein.

Some example control units 300 may be configured to provide predictivebed-exit alarm functions. For example, unloaded pressures in inflatablesupport sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D may be measured (e.g., usingpressure sensors 309A, 309B, 309C, 309D) without the patient on supportstructure 100. The patient may be placed on support structure 100 andloaded pressures in inflatable support sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104Dmay be measured. Pressures in inflatable support sections 104A, 104B,104C, 104D may be continuously and/or periodically measured. Processor306 may be programmed as an alarm logic to initiate a predictivebed-exit alarm sequence when at least one inflatable support section104A, 104B, 104C, 104D is measured at about its unloaded pressure, whichmay indicate that the patient has narrowed his or her footprint onsupport structure 100 in an attempt to exit the bed. In some exampleembodiments, the alarm logic may initiate the predictive bed-exit alarmsequence when at least two of inflatable support sections 104A, 104B,104C, 104D are measured at about their unloaded pressures. By providinga predictive alarm (e.g., an alarm that is triggered before the patienthas left the bed) some example embodiments may allow caregivers tointervene to prevent the patient from exiting the bed, rather thanresponding once the patient has already left the bed.

Some example bed-exit alarm sequences may include playing a prerecordedaudible message, such as using a speaker of alert device 314. Someexample control devices 300 may allow customized recording of suchrecorded messages, such as using microphone 313. For example, a relativeof a patient may record, “Grandma, please stay in your bed.” In someexample embodiments, before and/or after the prerecorded audible messageis played during the alarm sequence, a local audible alarm (a beep,buzzer, tone, etc.) and/or a visible alarm may be activated. Someexample embodiments may include transmitting an alarm signal to a remotereceiver, such as external communication device 604 (FIG. 1), which maycomprise a handheld unit, a nurses station, etc.

In some example embodiments, infrared sensors (e.g., electric eyes) maybe positioned along the lateral side edges of the bed generally parallelwith the longitudinal axis of the bed, such as approximate the bedrails. For example, such sensors may be mounted to the headboard and/orfootboard of the bed. These sensors may be utilized to detect a patientexiting the bed and/or may be utilized in connection with otherbed-exit-related data to provide a bed-exit alarm.

Some example bed-exit alarm user interfaces may include enable/disablebutton(s), a calibration button (pressed to obtain initial pressurereadings before the patient is placed on the bed), and/or a pause button(which may temporarily suspend operation of the bed exit alarm to allowa patient to leave the bed without triggering the alarm). In someexample embodiments, the bed-exit alarm may be automatically re-enabledafter being paused upon detecting that the patient has returned to thebed, such as by detection of loaded pressures in at least some ofinflatable support sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D.

Some example control units 300 may be configured to provide patientweighing functions. For example, processor 306 of control unit 300 maybe programmed as patient weighing logic to receive data associated witha pressure of an inflatable mat 201, such as from pressure sensor 260.Processor 306 may be programmed to detect a difference between anunloaded pressure of inflatable mat 201 and a loaded pressure ofinflatable mat 201. Processor 306 may be programmed to output a patientweight corresponding to the difference between the unloaded pressure andthe loaded pressure. For example, the patient weight may be indicated ondisplay 304.

In some example embodiments, inflatable mat 201 may be inflated to apredetermined unloaded pressure (e.g., using a handheld inflator), whichmay be greater than atmospheric pressure. In some example embodiments,support structure 100 may be placed in a generally horizontal positionprior to sensing the loaded pressure. Some example embodiments maydisplay one or more previously obtained patient weights and/or anindication of whether the patient's weight has increased or decreasedsince the previous weight measurement.

Some example control units 300, such as those incorporating LCDs and/ortouch screens, may provide various pages for interacting with users. Forexample, a “home” page may include one or more button which may be usedto switch to mode pages. For example, a home page may include aninflate/deflate button, a bed exit alarm button, a scale button, a lowair loss button, and/or other buttons associated with other functions.Some example mode pages may include a button for returning the screen tothe home page. Some example home pages may also display various data,such as angle of the head of the bed, interface temperature, and/orinterface humidity, all of which may be measured as described elsewhereherein.

An example inflate/deflate page may display current pressure readingsfrom individual inflatable support sections 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D.Buttons may direct inflation and/or deflation of individual inflatablesupports 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D using inflation system 308. In someexample embodiments, processor 306 may be configured to allowuser-directed inflation and/or deflation of inflatable supports 104A,104B, 104C, 104D while preventing deflation of inflatable supports 104A,104B, 104C, 104D such that the patient exceeds the minimum threshold forbottoming out as detected by proximity sensor mat 202. Some exampleembodiments may include an animated illustration of the inflation and/ordeflation when such operations occur.

An example scale page may include a calibrate button (to be pressedwithout the patient in the bed), a current weight button (which maydisplay the weight of the patient), and/or a kg/lb button which maytoggle the measurement units. Some example embodiments may also displayone or more previously obtained patient weights and/or an indication ofwhether the patient's weight has increased or decreased since theprevious weight measurement.

An example low air loss page may include buttons allowing activation anddeactivation of a low air loss air supply and/or adjustment of the lowair loss air supply. Some example embodiments may include display of thevolumetric flow rate of air provided by the low air loss air supply.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an example handheld control unit 400,according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure.Handheld control unit 400 may comprise control unit 300 (FIG. 1) and/ormay be configured to be readily portable. For example, handheld controlunit 400 may be carried from bed to bed to monitor and/or adjustinflatable supports 104 periodically and/or as desired. For example,handheld control unit 400 may be configured generally in the form of acordless drill or other readily portable, battery-powered device. In anexample embodiment, a housing 502 may receive a display 504 (e.g., anLCD), a user interface 506 (e.g., one or more membrane switches), aninflation system 508 (e.g., a pump and/or a pressure sensor), and/or aprocessor 510 (which may include memory), all of which may be poweredfrom a battery 512.

Some example handheld control units 400 may be configured to assist auser with setup operations associated with support structure 100. Forexample, processor 510 may be programmed to ask the user for thepatient's height and/or weight. The user may enter the patient's heightand/or weight, and processor 510 may determine an appropriate unloadedinflation pressure for individual inflatable support sections 104A,104B, 104C, 104D. The user may connect inflation system 508 toinflatable support section 104A, handheld control unit 400 may determinethe current pressure in inflatable support section 104A, and/or mayinflate or vent air as necessary to achieve the desired pressure. Thisprocess may be repeated for inflatable support sections 104B, 104C,104D. In some example embodiments, handheld control unit 400 may ask theuser whether the patient is lying on support structure 100 and, if so,handheld control unit 400 may adjust inflatable support sections 104A,104B, 104C, 104D to appropriate loaded pressures.

Some example embodiments may be configured to store and/or retrieve dataassociated with a plurality of support structures 100. For example, anexample handheld control unit 400 may store data (e.g., desiredpressures) for a plurality of support structures designated by supportstructure numbers or other identifiers. A caregiver may enter thesupport structure number into handheld control unit 400, and handheldcontrol unit 400 may retrieve the previously stored data associated withthat support structure. Some example embodiments may be configured totransmit and/or receive data.

Some example control units 300 may be configured to transmit and/orreceive data from a remote location. For example, alarms and measuredparameters may be communicated to a nurses station and/or a remotefacility. For example, an example embodiment may notify a nurses stationupon detecting a patient attempting to exit a bed. Some exampleembodiments may be configured to respond to commands (e.g., inflate ordeflate particular inflatable supports 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D) receivedfrom remote locations. Some example embodiments may include one or morespeakers and/or microphones to allow voice communication with a remotelocation (e.g., via voice-over-IP (VoIP)). For example, a provider of apatient support system 10 may utilize such voice communicationcapability to walk a user through a setup or troubleshooting procedure.Some example embodiments may be configured to receive software and/orfirmware updates via the Internet, for example.

Some example embodiments may be configured to record and store data. Forexample, control unit 300 may store data associated with usage, such asthe number of hours that such control unit 300 is utilized in connectionwith support structure 100. Such usage data may be transmitted and/ordownloaded to allow usage-based billing, such as on a partial-day orhourly basis. It is contemplated that such usage based billing may beused, for example, where a medical facility purchases a plurality ofsupport structures 100 and a smaller number of control units 300. Suchcontrol units 300 may be stored at the medical facility and may be usedas necessary. The medical facility may be billed for control units 300based on the number of hours use, which may be recorded and transmittedto the patient support system supplier by control units 300. Forexample, control units 300 may transmit usage data each month to allowbilling of the medical facility.

Some example embodiments may be configured to record data for purposesother than billing. For example, certain variations in detectedpressures of inflatable supports 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D may beassociated with a patient being turned (e.g., from one side to the otherside), such as may be performed to reduce the risk of pressure sores.Data related to such turnings may be stored to provide a record thatturning procedures were properly carried out by nursing staff.Similarly, temperature, humidity, and other data may be used to showthat proper pressure-sore-preventative procedures were conducted. Asanother example, data associated with the angle of the bed, pressures ofinflatable supports 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, etc., may be accessed in aninvestigation related to a patient fall.

Some example embodiments may be configured to allow tracking ofcomponents, such as support structures 100, mats 200, and/or controlunits 300. For example, control units 300 including data transmittingcapabilities may be configured to report their locations to a remotefacility. Some example embodiments may be provided with trackingdevices, such as radio frequency identification tags, which may allowimproved tracking and/or inventory management.

In some example embodiments a printed circuit board (PCB) mayoperatively connect the processor and one or more sensors, solenoidvalves, and/or any other data input and/or controlled components. Forexample a PCB may be connected to the processor using a USB interface.An example PCB may include USB communication modules, one or morepotentiometers, one or more amplifiers, and/or appropriate wiring toconnect the various components.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example method 2000 of operating a patientsupport system. Method 2000 may comprise operation 2002, which maycomprise placing a patient on a substantially vapor-permeable top coverof a support structure. The support structure may comprise a generallyrectangular base comprising a top surface, a first longitudinallyoriented sidewall and a second longitudinally oriented sidewallextending upward from lateral side portions of the base, and asubstantially vapor-impermeable barrier disposed on the top surface ofthe base and on inwardly facing surfaces of the first longitudinallyoriented sidewall and the second longitudinally oriented sidewall, andan inflatable support. The vapor-permeable top cover may extend betweenupper aspects of the first longitudinally oriented sidewall and thesecond longitudinally oriented sidewall such that a generallylongitudinally oriented channel configured to receive airflowtherethrough is substantially defined by a lower surface of the topcover, an upper surface of the barrier on the base, and inwardly facingsurfaces of the barrier on the first longitudinally oriented sidewalland the second longitudinally oriented sidewall. The inflatable supportmay be disposed in the channel, and an interior volume of the inflatablesupport may be fluidicly isolated from channel. Operation 2002 may befollowed by operation 2004, which may include flowing air through thechannel while the patient is on the substantially vapor-permeable topcover.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example method 2100 of providing apredictive bed-exit alarm. Method 2100 may comprise operation 2102,which may comprise receiving a patient on a support structure. Thesupport structure may comprise a plurality of fluidicly independentinflatable supports disposed within the support structure and inflatedto respective unloaded pressures. Each of the plurality of inflatablesupports may be configured to support at least a portion of thepatient's weight when the patient is in a generally supine position onthe support structure. Operation 2102 may be followed by operation 2104,which may include monitoring a respective loaded pressure of each of theplurality of inflatable supports. The loaded pressure of each of theplurality of inflatable supports may be above the respective unloadedpressure. Operation 2104 may be followed by operation 2106, which mayinclude initiating a predictive bed-exit alarm sequence upon determiningthat the pressure of at least one of the plurality of inflatablesupports is at about its unloaded pressure.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an example method 2200 of determining apatient weight. Method 2200 may include operation 2202, which mayinclude receiving a patient on a support structure. The supportstructure may be supported by an inflatable mat. The inflatable mat maycomprise an upper, substantially air-impermeable layer, a lower,substantially air-impermeable layer, and a middle volume interposing theupper layer and the lower layer. The middle volume may comprise aplurality of threads connecting the upper layer and the lower layer at asubstantially fixed distance. Operation 2202 may be followed byoperation 2204, which may include sensing a loaded pressure of theinflatable mat. Operation 2204 may be followed by operation 2206, whichmay include outputting a patient weight corresponding to a differencebetween the loaded pressure of the inflatable mat and an unloadedpressure of the inflatable mat.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an example computer. In order to provideadditional context for various aspects of the present disclosure, thefollowing discussion provides a brief, general description of acomputing environment 1300. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods according to the present disclosure may be practicedwith other computer system configurations, including single-processor ormultiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, aswell as personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like,each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associateddevices.

Some aspects of the present disclosure may also be practiced indistributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In some example distributed computing environments, programmodules may be located in local and/or remote memory storage devices.

An example computer may include a variety of computer-readable media.Computer-readable media may include any available media that can beaccessed by the computer and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, as well as removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computerstorage media and communication media. Computer storage media mayinclude volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM,ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalvideo disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by the computer.

An example computing environment 1300 for implementing various aspectsincludes a computer 1302, which may include a processing unit 1304, asystem memory 1306 and/or a system bus 1308. The system bus 1308 maycouple system components including, but not limited to, the systemmemory 1306 to the processing unit 1304. The processing unit 1304 can beany of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessorsand other multi-processor architectures may also be employed as theprocessing unit 1304.

The system bus 1308 can be any of several types of bus structures thatmay further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and/or a local bus using any of a varietyof commercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1306 mayinclude read only memory (ROM) 1310 and/or random access memory (RAM)1312. A basic input/output system (BIOS) may be stored in a non-volatilememory 1310 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM. BIOS may contain basic routinesthat help to transfer information between elements within the computer1302, such as during start-up. The RAM 1312 can also include ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1302 may further include an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1314 (e.g., EIDE, S ATA), which may also be configured for external usein a suitable chassis, a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1316 (e.g., toread from or write to a removable diskette 1318), and/or an optical diskdrive 1320 (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 1322 or, to read from or writeto other high capacity optical media such as the DVD). The hard diskdrive 1314, magnetic disk drive 1316, and/or optical disk drive 1320 canbe connected to the system bus 1308 by a hard disk drive interface 1324,a magnetic disk drive interface 1326, and an optical drive interface1328, respectively. The interface 1324 for external driveimplementations may include at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and IEEE 1394 interface technologies. Other external driveconnection technologies are within the scope of the disclosure.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media may providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1302, the drives and mediamay accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to aHDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media suchas a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of media which are readable by a computer, such as zipdrives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and thelike, may also be used in an example operating environment, and further,that any such media may contain computer-executable instructions.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1312,including an operating system 1330, one or more application programs1332, other program modules 1334, and/or program data 1336. All orportions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data canalso be cached in the RAM 1312. It is to be appreciated that variouscommercially available operating systems or combinations of operatingsystems may be utilized.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1302 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1338 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1340. Other input devices may include amicrophone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen,touch screen, or the like. These and other input devices are oftenconnected to the processing unit 1304 through an input device interface1342 that is coupled to the system bus 1308, but can be connected byother interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, agame port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 1344 or other type of display device may also connected to thesystem bus 1308 via an interface, such as a video adapter 1346. Inaddition to the monitor 1344, a computer typically includes otherperipheral output devices, such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1302 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1348. The remotecomputer(s) 1348 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor based entertainmentappliance, a peer device, and/or other common network node, and/or mayinclude many or all of the elements described relative to the computer1302, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device1350 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted includewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1352 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1354. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and health carefacilities, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such asintranets, all of which may connect to a global communications network,e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1302 may beconnected to the local network 1352 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1356. The adaptor 1356 mayfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1352, which mayalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adaptor 1356.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1302 can includea modem 1358, or may be connected to a communications server on the WAN1354, or may have other devices for establishing communications over theWAN 1354, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1358, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, may be connected tothe system bus 1308 via the serial port interface 1342. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 1302, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1350. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer 1302 is operable to communicate with any wireless devicesor entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., aprinter, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable dataassistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or locationassociated with a wirelessly detectable tag, and/or telephone. Thisincludes at least Wi-Fi and

Bluetooth™ wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be apredefined structure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802. 11x (a,b, g, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet).Wi-Fi networks can operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands.IEEE 802. 11 applies to generally to wireless LANs and provides 1 or 2Mbps transmission in the 2.4 GHz band using either frequency hoppingspread spectrum (FHSS) or direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS). IEEE802. 11a is an extension to IEEE 802. 11 that applies to wireless LANsand provides up to 54 Mbps in the 5 GHz band. IEEE 802. 1 a uses anorthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) encoding scheme ratherthan FHSS or DSSS. IEEE 802.11b (also referred to as 802. 11 High RateDSSS or Wi-Fi) is an extension to 802. 11 that applies to wireless LANsand provides 11 Mbps transmission (with a fallback to 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps)in the 2.4 GHz band. IEEE 802.11g applies to wireless LANs and provides20+ Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band. Products can operate in more than one band(e.g., dual band), so the networks can provide real-world performancesimilar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in manyoffices.

All dimensions provided herein are merely examples and are not to beconsidered limiting.

While example embodiments have been set forth above for the purpose ofdisclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as otherembodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the aboveprecise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing fromthe scope. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary tomeet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein tofall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/orunforeseen advantages may exist even though they may not have beenexplicitly discussed herein.

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 5. A method ofproviding a predictive bed-exit alarm, the method comprising: receivinga patient on a support structure, the support structure comprising aplurality of fluidicly independent inflatable supports disposed withinthe support structure and inflated to respective unloaded pressures,each of the plurality of inflatable supports being configured to supportat least a portion of the patient's weight when the patient is in agenerally supine position on the support structure; monitoring arespective loaded pressure of each of the plurality of inflatablesupports, the loaded pressure of each of the plurality of inflatablesupports being above the respective unloaded pressure; initiating apredictive bed-exit alarm sequence upon determining that the pressure ofat least one of the plurality of inflatable supports, but fewer than allof the plurality of inflatable supports, is at about its unloadedpressure.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of inflatablesupports comprises a foot section inflatable support, a hip sectioninflatable support, a torso section inflatable support, and a headsection inflatable support; and wherein the initiating the predictivebed-exit alarm comprises initiating the predictive bed-exit alarm upondetermining that pressures of at least two of, but less than all of, thefoot section inflatable support, the hip section inflatable support, thetorso section inflatable support, and the head section inflatablesupport are at about their respective unloaded pressures.
 7. The methodof claim 5, further comprising, upon being initiated, the bed-exit alarmsequence comprises at least one of sounding a local audible alarm andtransmitting an alarm signal to a remote receiver.
 8. The method ofclaim 5, further comprising, upon being initiated, the bed-exit alarmsequence comprises playing a prerecorded audible message and, afterplaying the prerecorded audible message, sounding a local audible alarm.9. The method of claim 8, wherein the bed-exit alarm sequence furthercomprises transmitting an alarm signal to a remote receiver.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising, prior to initiating thepredictive bed-exit alarm sequence, recording the prerecorded audiblemessage.
 11. The method of claim 5, further comprising prior toinitiating the predictive bed-exit alarm sequence, disabling thepredictive bed-exit alarm sequence upon receipt of a pause command;detecting respective unloaded pressures in each of the plurality ofinflatable supports; and upon detecting pressures above the respectiveunloaded pressures in each of the plurality of inflatable supports,enabling the predictive bed-exit alarm sequence.
 12. A support structuresystem comprising: a support structure configured to receive a patientthereon, the support structure comprising a first inflatable support anda second inflatable support disposed within the support structure, thefirst inflatable support and the second inflatable support beingindependently inflatable, each of the first inflatable support and thesecond inflatable support supporting at least a portion of the patient'sweight when the patient is in a generally supine position on the supportstructure, the first inflatable support and the second inflatablesupport having respective unloaded pressures, the first inflatablesupport and the second inflatable support having respective loadedpressures when the patient is in the generally supine position on thesupport structure, the respective loaded pressures being greater thanthe respective unloaded pressures; and an alarm system comprising afirst pressure detector associated with the first inflatable support, asecond pressure detector associated with the second inflatable support,and an alarm logic configured to receive data associated with a detectedpressure of the first inflatable support, to receive data associatedwith a detected pressure of the second inflatable support, and toinitiate a predictive bed-exit alarm sequence upon determining that onlyone of the detected pressure of the first inflatable support and thedetected pressure of the second inflatable support is at about itsrespective unloaded pressure.
 13. The support structure system of claim12, wherein the first pressure detector and the second pressure detectorare disposed within the support structure.
 14. The support structuresystem of claim 12, wherein the first pressure detector and the secondpressure detector are disposed external to the support structure, andwherein the first pressure detector and the second pressure detector arefluidicly coupled to the first inflatable support and the secondinflatable support, respectively.
 15. The support structure of claim 12,further comprising a third inflatable support and a fourth inflatablesupport disposed within the support structure, the third inflatablesupport and the fourth inflatable support being independentlyinflatable, each of the third inflatable support and the fourthinflatable support supporting at least a portion of the patient's weightwhen the patient is in the generally supine position on the supportstructure, the third inflatable support and the fourth inflatablesupport having respective unloaded pressures, the third inflatablesupport and the fourth inflatable support having respective loadedpressures when the patient is in the generally supine position on thesupport structure, the respective loaded pressures of the thirdinflatable support and the fourth inflatable support being greater thanthe respective unloaded pressures of the third inflatable support andthe fourth inflatable support; a third pressure detector associated withthe third inflatable support; and a fourth pressure detector associatedwith the fourth inflatable support; wherein the alarm logic isconfigured to receive data associated with a detected pressure of thethird inflatable support, to receive data associated with a detectedpressure of the fourth inflatable support; and wherein the alarm logicis configured to initiate the predictive bed-exit alarm sequence upondetermining that at least two of, but fewer than all of, the detectedpressure of the first inflatable support, the detected pressure of thesecond inflatable support, the detected pressure of the third inflatablesupport, and the detected pressure of the fourth inflatable support isat about its respective unloaded pressure.
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